Fresh Blues

Look for fresh blueberries that are firm, dry, plump, smooth-skinned, with a silvery surface bloom and free from leaves and stems. Size is not an indicator of maturity but color is—berries should be deep purple-blue to blue-black; reddish berries aren’t ripe, but may be used in cooking. Avoid soft or shriveled fruit and any signs of mold. Containers with juice stains indicate that the fruit may be bruised.

Refrigerate blueberries as soon as you get them home, in their original plastic pack or in a covered bowl or storage container. Wash the berries just before use. Use within ten days of purchase.

Frozen Blues

Frozen, unsweetened blueberries packed in poly bags or boxes can be found in the frozen food section of your supermarket. The frozen berries should feel loose, not clumped together.

Frozen blueberries are individually quick frozen so you can remove a few or as many as needed.

Blueberries should be kept frozen and the unused portion returned to the freezer promptly. If not used immediately, cover and refrigerate thawed berries and use within three days.

Commercially frozen berries are washed before being frozen and do not need to be washed again.

How to Freeze Your Own Blueberries

The secret to successful freezing is to use berries that are unwashed and completely dry before popping them in the freezer. No need to rinse before freezing; simply place berries, still in their original containers, in resealable plastic bags and freeze. Or if you prefer to rinse the berries first, dry them well with paper towels, transfer to freezer containers or resealable plastic bags and freeze. The berries will freeze individually and you can remove just the portion you need. If not washed prior to freezing, blueberries should be rinsed just before using. For best quality, use within 6 months.

To learn more about freezing, canning and drying blueberries and other foods, visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

The North American blueberry harvest begins in early spring in the South and West and moves north as the season progresses, providing a bountiful supply of highbush blueberries in November. Blueberries from South America enter our market and stay plentiful through March.